Death of Cabrillo.
land-locked harbor, that sometimes for three or four days it was
not possible to go on shore."
On the 3d of January, 1543, the brave Juan Rodriguez Ca
brillo died from the effects of an accident at his first visit in
October, 1542. He earnestly charged Bartolome Ferrelo not to
give up the voyage of discovery, but to continue his explora
tions to the northward. Who succeeded Ferrelo to the com
mand of La Victoria is not mentioned, but we may suppose he
was the pilot Bartolome Fernandez.
On the 19th of January, 1543, Ferrelo and his consort set sail
for the mainland under point Conception in search of pro
visions. The vessels were caught by a heavy northwest storm,
and for eight days were driven about among the Santa Barbara
islands, seeking anchorage " on account of the foul winds," when
they again sought shelter in port Possession on the 27th of
January.
They remained here two days, when the weather favored them
and they sailed to the island of Santa Rosa to recover the
anchors which they had left there when they slipped their
cables in a storm. They recovered the anchors and took in a
supply of water from Bechers bay, which is on the northeast
face of the island, where they were protected from the southeast
storm which brought much snow.
On the 13th of February they stood across the Santa Barbara
channel to the Gaviota anchorage, which they were forced to
leave after getting only one boat-load of wood. The southeaster
brought up a very heavy swell, and they sought shelter under
the island of Santa Cruz " because they were there more secure
from the storms and they might be able to make sail and run
out to sea."
On the 18th of February the vessels left this island in search
of other islands reported to them by the Indians. These islands
were doubtless San Nicolas and San Clemente, which had not
been seen by them, and at dark they were about twelve leagues
from Santa Cruz, and "saw six islands, some large and others
small."
"At daybreak of the 19th they were about ten leagues to the
windward of the islands, and with the wind west-northwest
they were standnig off five days to the southwest, and after
they had proceeded about 100 leagues they found the wind
more violent and the sea high, and Thursday, the 22d of the
33-NAT. GEOG. MAG., VOL..V, 1893.
249